TO HELP THE HOME DRESSMAKER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7448, 24 May 1911, Page 11

TO HELP THE HOME DRESSMAKER

HOW TO WEIGHT A SKIRT. Mary C.—Now that materials aro .made so soft and light in texture it is absolutely necessary to weight the lower edge so that they will not swing outward, as you write your drees does, but fall in a straight lino and cling closely to the figure. For dresses or tunics of soft satins, silks or lingerie materials leaded tape, which conies by the yard, is often used. This is sewed at tho top of the hem on the under side. More delicate transparent materials are weighted with small discs of lead, and care should be taken, that the discs are not so heavy that the material is stretched out of shape. First cover the discs with chiffon or net, and then sew on the under side at the top of tho hem. Often a long, loose French tacking thread sewed to tho underskirt beneath is sufficient to hold a transparent material in place. A SHGGESTION FOR FITTING AN ARMHOLE. Inexperienced Sewer. —Probably the difficulty with your sleeves is that you cut the armholes too large in fitting. This is a common mistake "in dressmaking. If the armholes, feel too tight when you are trying on the dress do not cut the material away under tho arms, but snip it with the point of the scissors a quarter of an inch or deeper until it is easy fitting. This will often give the required spring, and the sleeves may be basted in beyond tho saippings. HINTS ABOHT FINISHING BODICE SEAMS. Margaret J. J.—Neatly finished and pressed inside seams arc an important factor in the fit and appearance of a waist. , Do not overcast the raw edges of a seam together, but open tho seams with the fingers and press lightly with a hot iron. .Notch the seams at tho waist-line, above and below, so that they will lie flat over the curve of the waist. Finish

with overcasting stitches, or bind each edge with a narrow silk ribbon banding sewed on with slight case so that it will not draw tho seam.